I came across "Gackt" when I was at Simon's room with Haruka, Shogo, Judy, Wugen and Mira - as usual, hanging out with beer and snacks on a Wednesday night. Simon and Haruka wanted me to see who Gackt is - a weirdo, said Simon, who looks alot like a girl or said Haruka, "很有意思的人." or a very interesting man. So Simon played this clip of Ayumi Himekawa and Gackt duet singing Silent Night.
I was instantly annoyed with Ayumi's performance. Her off tune live performance and tacky wardrobe made me wonder what the blonde guy with honey colored eye and maroon shiny long-coat beside her would be like. Then it's Gackt's turn and after he open his mouth, I was relieved to hear a wonderful baritone voice (though he could use more practice with his English pronounciation). Haruka downloaded more songs. First, it was "Last Song". I liked it. Then "Redemption", I loved it. Then "Longing", and so on and so forth. I like most of them. Surprise surprise.
That night in my room, I googled Gackt and try to find his clips in YouTube. I saw Vanilla (liked the song - but the video clip is rather standard). I saw Redemption, it was cool. Then I found Metamorphoze, I LOVE IT!!! That was enough for me. Now, I'm making a tribute to Gackt - my first Japanese singer hero. Seriously, I never had any interest in Japanese singers or songs... So Gackt, be proud of yourself for making J-Pop/J-Rock a thing for me. Hehehehe...
Gackt is indeed an interesting character (in a very Japanese kind of way??? Hehehehe). Apparently, for some unknown reason (marketing flick, I suppose?), Gackt [or Kamui Gakuto - 恄埿 妝搇] claimed to be born a vampire in 4 July 1540. Right... Guess what, later in 2004, he revealed that he was actually born in Okinawa, Japan in 1973. He also said that he became psychic after a near-death experience during his childhood. He also says he used to be possessed by spirits.
He is a multi-instrumentalist (trumpet, tuba, horn, euphonium, trombone, piano, guitar, bass, percussion). Gackt was once part of Malice Mizer, a well-known J-rock band but later went solo. It is kinda difficult to categorize his type of music... some would say J-Pop, but then again, there's J-Rock, ... well.. I for one am not too crazy about rigid categorization. Gackt is Gackt.
To hear some of his songs, you can visit my Music Page: http://springsun.multiply.com/music/item/108
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Intermezzo - [Interview]
Q: If you could be another creature, what would you be?
Gackt: A roach because it is the thing I hate most in the world. I want to overcome my fear. Once I become a roach and understand his feelings, I guess I might be able to like it slightly more. To overcome roaches is my big hope.
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Sources:
1.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gackt#_note-jihaku_1-22. For English translation of Gackt's autobiography 'Jihaku' go to:
http://www.midnightrevolution.org/asrundream/trans/book/jihaku/3.
http://www.mahamari.com/story/about.shtmlTo watch video clips:
1. Metamorphoze [I LOVE THIS CLIP!!!]:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNUSYvWT5f42. Redemption:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44qA4GA7pFk3. Vanilla:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNEUNr_n5gY
